1.   Joseph Kennedy said Thursday he welcomed the gesture.

2.   The Democrats welcomed the gesture, though it was clear that a single gathering would not erase years of distrust.

3.   Pagan said Tuesday he still welcomed the gesture.

4.   A few hours later, Guatemalan President Alvaro Arzu said he welcomed the gesture and had ordered government troops to hold their fire.

5.   But he welcomed the gesture and promised to search with Clinton for common ground.

6.   Jesus Dureza, spokesman of the government negotiating panel, welcomed the gesture but added that there has been no agreement so far for a prisoner exchange.

7.   The mass-circulation Blick and Le Matin newspapers joined others in welcoming the gesture.

8.   Scottish nationalists welcomed the gesture, but predicted it would backfire on Major by fueling demands for Scottish independence.

9.   The markets welcomed the gesture on Thursday.